Spanky - Don't buy another one - yet! Here's a list of what not to use as a pollinizer for your Grav, and why:

"The following varieties are not reliable pollinizers: Gravenstein, Braeburn, Red McIntosh, King, and Mutsu. These varieties are called triploid plants. That means that they must have another tree to pollinize themselves, plus the pollinizer will require another tree to pollinize it." From: http://www.flowerworldusa.com/info/fruit_trees.html

Here's a pretty good looking pollination chart; note, the apple varieties are listed (upper left, top to bottom) in their order of blooming. Bloom-times are extremely important; even though pollen from one variety can "pollinate" the Grav, if that variety blooms 2 weeks later, it won't happen. So, consider only those compatible pollinators nearest the Gravenstein. --- http://www.hartmannursery.com/apple_pollination.htm

Here's what I use with my three Gravs: "Summerred," and "Yellow Transparent" ("Lodi" is basically the same thing as a "Transparent"). Now, I'm slowly begining to understand this "Triploid" thing ... I think, either one of those two trees are pollinating my Gravs, but, if I want them to form apples (fruit), as well as pollinate, I'll need that second early blooming variety... So, to get Gravs, you'll need another early blooming pollen-compatible variety; to get fruit from 'that variety' (if you've got no other compatible apple trees near by), you'll need the second one...

My solution: graft on a couple limbs of both Summerred & Transparent to my 80-something year old Gravenstein tree. Actually, I did that to all 3 Grav trees. Depending on the age of your Grav, there are several methods of grafting on a pollinator 'limb.' This may sound daunting; but it's doable. I just read up on the subject, and carefully went for it. If your tree's young, you may more easily "Bud" (graft) later this Summer with one or two compatible pollinators. If it's 8 to 80, you may more easly do a cleft graft, or any number of dormant-season grafts next Feb. or March. The Home Orchard Society gives classes on both -- search this site. I've instructed some of the "Top Working" classes given in early March ... it's "my thing."

More than you care to know? I'll check back if you've any further questions --

Hi,
I've had similar problems and am grateful for this discussion. I have a Braeburn and a Gravenstein (no other apples), planted them about four years ago, and was wondering why I hadn't been getting any fruit! I'd read that Gravensteins were triploid but had naively hoped the Braeburn could pollinate (sp?) it. Guess I'll be grafting on some other varieties next spring.
Thanks for the info.
Ruth

Ruth, I just researched the bloom time for Braeburns and found them to be very early ... that should be working for your Gravensteins. As I get it, the Gravenstein can't pollinate the Braeburn, but it appears the Braeburn should be a decent pollinator for the Gravenstein. But some trees take 5 or 6 years to produce fruit spurs; four years may be too early for these trees (I don't think either are 'tip bearers'). Did they have blossoms this spring?

At the following site I found some interesting information about Crab Apple trees as pollinators for commercial orchards. Apparently, bees prefer, or stay with certain colored blossoms. The "Manchurian Crab" is given as a good pollinator for Braeburn. With it's early bloom time, and large white flowers; that's the same as a Gravenstein. It may be a good variety to graft on to either tree?

This was a very interesting site; note the opposite side of the planet bloom times (early Sept.), and, the Gravenstein wasn't mentioned, cause it's not considered a 'commercial variety' down there I suspect... But food for thought!

"Manchurian: Fairly large white flowers with pale pink buds. Prolific flowering on one-year wood. Upright tree habit. Suitable for Braeburn, Granny Smith, king flowers of Delicious as well as many others, but it may be too early for Fuji and Gala."

Early apple pollinators
Over time I have made a list of apple bloom times, divided into A, B, C, and D.
Tripoild apples, i.e. 'Gravenstein' and others produce STERILE pollen. These plants have three chromosome pairs instrad of the normal two pair. Nature cannot divide three into a whole number, hence sterile.
If yu have one tripoid tree you should have at least two other trees that bloom in the same or next bloom period. Since 'Gavenstein' blooms in A period you should have two more in the a period (not tripoids). The A bloomin list that follows will give you more than you wnated to know.

The 'Gravenstien,' 'Braeburn' combination. According to Warren Manhart, Apples for the 21st Centrury, 'Braeburn' blooms in C period in Western Oregon and Washington and A period elswhere. Soooo, you may want to add a tree in the B bloom period. This should overlap both A and C bloom periods.

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